A report to the government has proposed the closure of several Intercity lines and night services. These trains link many cities over quite long distances as a cheaper alternative to the TGV network. The rolling stock is elderly and subject to delays, but the services are popular with many travellers who claim that TGV fares are too high. Several of the services affected run to or through Toulouse, such as the Toulouse/Bordeaux/Nantes/Quimper and Toulouse/Cebere trains. Travellers will have to take either a series of TER (locally run services) involving several changes, or buses.
We remember when the night train to Paris from Toulouse used to stop at Lexos at about 10.30pm and many local people remember taking the night service, arriving in Paris next morning. That night service is one that is proposed to remain, though nowadays it takes a different route. Other popular night trains, such as Paris/Hendaye (near Biarritz) may be scrapped to the dismay of those who prefer to make the trip in discomfort, often out of nostalgia.
Probably the main threat to these elderly, little used trains is not the TGV, but low cost airlines.
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